Author: danielwheaton

Blog 1:

Hey Chloe!

Your blog post really resonated with me! It’s cool how you experienced behaviorism with your parents teaching you to tie shoelaces – positive reinforcement truly works! And your cognitive learning approach in calculus sounds spot on, taking notes and seeking clarifications are smart moves.

Your Gender Studies class seems awesome! I love how you get to choose assignments and explore topics you’re into. Embracing diverse viewpoints and collaborating with classmates is so valuable.

Blog Post 1 – EDCI 335 (opened.ca)

Hey Armaan!

Your learning journey at Farm Credit Canada sounds awesome! I’m impressed with your progress in just 3 months, going from knowing nothing to taking on more tasks and helping your team. The use of cognitivism in your learning process seems to be a game-changer, making the knowledge meaningful and easier to retain. I’m glad your 5-year investment in Uvic is paying off, and you’re applying what you learned to the job world!

Keep embracing the cognitive approach, goal-setting, and planning – it’s clearly working for you! Keep up the fantastic work! 👍

Blog Post 1 – Welcome to my blog! (opened.ca)

Blog 2:

Hey Rachel!

Your blog post on open pedagogies is awesome! I love how it promotes collaboration, learner empowerment, and using technology to connect with others globally. The focus on project-based learning and problem-solving is so cool for financial literacy, which is a dynamic and personal topic. The idea of students setting their learning goals and owning their educational journey is fantastic!

One suggestion could be to include some real-life examples or personal anecdotes to make the topic even more relatable. Keep up the great work, Rachel! Your approach to teaching financial literacy rocks! 💪

Blog Post #2 – EDCI335 (opened.ca)

Hey Nikhil

I enjoyed reading your blog about Direct Instruction, a teaching method that’s proven to work wonders! It’s all about clear, structured teaching, which helps students learn at their own pace. What I liked is that it supports all students, even those facing challenges, and helps them succeed in various subjects. It may seem a bit structured to some, but hey, it actually frees up brainpower for learning!

Learning Design II (Post 2) – eLearning (opened.ca)

Blog 3:

Hey Chloe!  

Great blog post about learners’ accessibility and how to eliminate barriers! I loved how it emphasizes creating an inclusive learning environment on Google Classroom. Addressing varying levels of digital literacy by offering accessible resources and training is so thoughtful. The idea of accommodating diverse learning styles with a range of multimedia and text-based materials is great! Also, ensuring accessibility with captions, alt text, and language options is truly inclusive. Keep up the great work in fostering a supportive and diverse learning space for all students. 

Blog Post 3 – EDCI 335 (opened.ca)

Hey Armaan,

Great blog post, personal finance is such an important idea to learn at an early stage! The idea of learning personal finance online is fantastic, and it’s great that you’ll be able to do it from the comfort of your home using Google Classroom. The convenience of having all the resources available online, including articles and videos, will make the learning experience so much more enjoyable and engaging. And the best part is the practical assessment of creating a budget sheet on Google Sheets, which will help you understand your spending habits and make smarter financial decisions.

Blog Post 3 – Welcome to my blog! (opened.ca)

Blog 4:

Hey Chloe,

Really good video to sum up the key ideas of personal finance. It equips students with vital personal finance knowledge, stressing responsibility and informed decisions. Covering budgeting, insurance, interest, taxes, and credit scores, it’s so relevant for their financial lives. Your clear presentation empowers students to take control of their future. The user-friendly format with key points highlighted is a smart move, catering to different learning styles. The additional resources are a goldmine, fostering curiosity and self-directed learning.

Blog Post 4 – EDCI 335 (opened.ca)

Hey Nikhil!

The video’s interactive elements, real-life examples, and simple language make it super engaging. The suggested group discussion after watching is a fantastic idea to develop critical thinking and analytical skills. Also, the inclusive design, with clear visuals and text visualization, ensures all learners can benefit from the content. Keep up the great work, looking forward to seeing you discussing those interest rates!

Interaction (Post 4) – eLearning (opened.ca)

Learning Pod: #3

Peers’ Names: Yufei Mai, Rick Kuang, Zhenshang Sun, Zhongbao Ji

Interactive Learning Resource Topic: Learning Strategies for Successful Completion of Online Courses

Link: Welcome to the Skills Enhancement Cl classroom ! (canva.com)

Overview: The Pod 3 course was a nice easy to read class that didn’t drag on into too much detail. I think it was a great length to have four structured modules that told the student exactly what needed to be done. The course is well structured, keeps the audience engaged, and provides a great amount of resources that do the job and don’t over complicate. Great presentation of material and fun to cycle through.

Identify components of the Interactive Learning Resource that might be missing (e.g., appropriate outcomes, alignment, interactivity, inclusivity, technology use and rationale, presentation, grammar, spelling, citations, etc.).

Strengths: I really liked how there was a different teacher for each module, it seemed like each one had a personalized touch and you felt more engaged due to the introductions. Furthermore, how each teacher used their personal experience and independent strengths made me have more belief in the material. The Canva visuals were very good, pop-ups of the pictures and use of colors kept me engaged. Having the little people made a big difference for me too, online courses can be hard to stay engaged in, but seeing names and a little person figure was enough for me to see a person teaching me. I think that the descriptions for the videos are a small but effective touch, it gives you a small breakdown of why it’s important and what you are going to learn. I did like how each module was different, it made you feel like you were learning a completely new thing and it held its own value. I think the use of reflection assignments is a great easy way for students to interact, as well as the instructors to seek better judgment in how the course is doing and its effects on the students. I think the idea of active participation and holding standards is a great and effective way to keep the students engaged with the material. 

Weaknesses: Might need to capitalize “classroom” in the opening title, I’d suggest you spread out the wordy slide “concise definition” into two or three separate slides. Lasty, I think it’s lacking a wrap-up/transition to the next module.

Provide general, specific, and practical recommendations to your peers on how to improve their Interactive Learning Resources.

Things To Consider: Like the weaknesses, ill go into a little more detail of things I suggest! The one thing I don’t think that was touched on was the weighting of the course. There were great descriptions in the concise definition and the breakdown of the modules but it might be important for students to grasp how much each thing matters for the course. I know it’s a self-directed type course, however, having structured break-downs for the weighting of the reflections and projects can give a student an idea of how much effort is expected in the assignments. The project is very easy on the eyes and fun to work through, however, the “Concise definition” seems a little daunting and intimidating to read. I might suggest to break-down that slide into different parts/slides, which will also help to lengthen the introduction. One smaller suggestion would be to have a little wrap up after each module. It kind of just ends after the resources, but I think it would be a nice touch/transition to recall the learning objectives and what the student should have learned in the module. It might help them reflect on what they’ve learned and recall more important information! Lastly, a very small thing, in the title you have also the important words capitalized but “classroom” not sure if this was intentionally done, just something I noticed. Overall, awesome class with lots of creativity! 

Identify components of the Interactive Learning Resource that might be missing (e.g., appropriate outcomes, alignment, interactivity, inclusivity, technology use and rationale, presentation, grammar, spelling, citations, etc.).

For missing things, I think just the capitalization in the title for “classroom”. At first glance I didn’t see where the video instruction line was for the “cyber security” module. I didn’t notice what type of audience this was directed for, might be nice to add in if it’s for elementary, highschool, or a university crowd. Lastly, an evaluation system that shows you the weights and break-down for the course, it’s important for students to see how much value each project/assessment is for the course.

In the digital age, videos have emerged as a powerful tool for learning, transforming the way students acquire knowledge. With the rise of platforms like YouTube, access to educational content has become more convenient than ever before. Today, we will explore how YouTube videos can specifically aid in enhancing personal finance skills, and how interactive elements can further enrich the learning experience. With the vast array of channels and creators, these videos have the potential to demystify complex financial concepts and provide step-by-step guidance on budgeting, investing, debt management, and more. From what I saw, these educational videos provide engaging visuals, real-life examples and expert opinions. The visual medium allows viewers to grasp concepts more effectively, as it combines auditory and visual learning styles. Students can benefit from these videos by gaining a solid foundation in personal finance principles and learning practical strategies to apply in their own lives. Like most learning experiences incorporating interactive elements is crucial. By encouraging students to actively engage with the content, retention and understanding are significantly enhanced. Here are some interactive features that I found were useful in these videos: thought-provoking questions, quizzes and questions asked, and case studies/simulations. They can also help the viewer to create a post-video activity, where they template you to create a personal budget and how to track expenses. They also suggest utilizing online budgeting tools or smartphone apps designed to track expenses and manage personal finances, which is super helpful for people just learning. From what I have seen the videos are super intuitive and are designed to enhance engagement. By incorporating interactive elements, facilitating post-video activities, and designing videos to engage viewers actively, students can derive the maximum benefit from just watching videos on YouTube! Empowering individuals with personal finance knowledge and skills sets the foundation for financial well-being, I will certainly be linking my favorites in our course for our learners to refer to.

If there is one thing I have learnt so far, it is that teaching, engaging, and creating a course is not a straightforward task. There are so many obstacles, requirements and concepts to keep in mind that you need in order to shape inclusivity and universal design for all students. With this in mind, for my group’s projected course on personal finance, there are many individualities and concepts that need to be met to create a course suited for all. After reading and watching the “Inclusive Learning Design” and “Universal Design” prompts I have created specified changes for our course on how we can meet these requirements. To ensure that teaching personal finance meets the requirements of all learners, we can adopt the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) discussed in the reading. Starting with the framework we can identify barriers and use the three pillars in our framework process. Starting with “Multiple means of representation”, we need to provide various ways of presenting financial concepts and information. Use a combination of visual aids, auditory explanations, and hands-on activities to cater to different learning styles. For example, use infographics, charts, and videos to visualize financial data, while also incorporating discussions and verbal explanations. For “Multiple means of action or expression”, we can allow learners to demonstrate their understanding of personal finance in diverse ways. Some students may prefer written assignments, while others might excel in creating presentations, budgeting simulations, or even interactive online activities. Offer choices in assignments and assessments to accommodate different preferences and abilities. The last pillar “Multiple means of engagement”, it’s important to engage learners by incorporating real-life scenarios and personal relevance into the lessons. Make personal finance relatable and practical for students by using examples that resonate with their lives. Encourage active participation, discussions, and group activities to foster collaboration and motivation. Furthermore, as stated in the reading we need to identify and remove barriers. Proactively assess potential barriers that learners might face in understanding personal finance concepts. Address language barriers, financial jargon, and complex terminology by simplifying explanations and providing helpful resources. Ensure that students with diverse abilities can access and interact with the materials and content. As always, we also need to utilize technology effectively for our course. By leveraging digital tools and platforms to enhance personal finance learning experiences. Use online calculators, budgeting apps, and interactive simulations to provide hands-on learning opportunities. Technology can also facilitate personalized feedback and support for students with different learning needs. As well, most important in my opinion, create an inclusive learning environment. By establishing an inclusive classroom culture where students feel comfortable asking questions and seeking support. Encourage peer collaboration and offer support networks, such as study groups, where students can learn from each other’s strengths and experiences. Lastly, we can monitor progress and adapt as needed. When we regularly assess students’ understanding of personal finance topics and adjust the teaching approach accordingly. Use formative assessments to identify areas where students may need additional support or clarification. By integrating the Universal Design for learning principles into our personal finance curriculum, we can create a learning environment that caters to the diverse needs of all learners, ensuring that they have equitable opportunities to develop essential financial literacy skills. There is also a major amount of specifications and alterations we will be doing in order to achieve specifications for the inclusivity approach, as this is very important to keep in mind especially since personal finance is such a personalized detailed topic that requires practical applications, self-advocacy, alongside the use of multi-modal material. It has been super rewarding to slowly alter and change our course to meet a more inclusive and universal standard and has taught us a lot about course structure.

This week I got to explore and research the instructional approach “Open Pedagogies”. With the way the digital world is progressing I think that open-pedagogies are crucially important to utilizing the tools we are given online. Open-pedagogies refers to a learner-centered approach to teaching and learning that emphasizes collaboration, critical thinking, and the active engagement of students in their own learning process. Unlike traditional teaching methods that rely heavily on lectures and passive consumption of information, open-pedagogies encourage students to become active participants in their learning process, encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. By utilizing a range of digital tools, online platforms, and open educational resources, open-pedagogies promote knowledge sharing, co-creation, and the development of digital literacies. This teaching approach encourages the use of open educational resources (OER), which are freely available educational materials, and promotes open access to knowledge and information.

The open-pedagogies approach allows for learners to gain knowledge in specific ways, this includes; active learning, collaboration/participation, open educational resources, learning autonomy, and technology integration. Now I am going to dive deeper into each category and how it can be effectively aligned with our project on “Personal Finance”. Personal finance education often benefits from active learning approaches, such as case studies, simulations, and real-world applications. Open-pedagogies can support these activities by engaging students in hands-on financial decision-making, analyzing financial scenarios, and applying concepts to real-life situations. On top of this, open Pedagogies encourage students to collaborate and learn from one another. In personal finance, this can be particularly valuable as students can discuss financial challenges, share experiences, and develop critical thinking skills by evaluating different financial perspectives. Furthermore, open pedagogies align well with personal finance education by leveraging freely available resources, such as financial literacy websites, budgeting tools, interactive simulations, and educational videos on Youtube. These resources can provide students with diverse perspectives and practical knowledge on managing personal finances. For learning autonomy, personal finance education often benefits from individualized learning experiences that allow students to explore topics relevant to their personal circumstances. Open-pedagogies can facilitate learner autonomy by providing opportunities for students to set financial goals, make informed decisions, and develop financial plans tailored to their needs. Lastly, for technology integration, Personal finance education can be enhanced through technology integration, such as online financial calculators, budgeting apps, and virtual investment platforms. Open-pedagogies can leverage these technological tools to engage students in interactive financial simulations, analyze financial data, and develop financial skills in a digital environment. It is important to note that while open-pedagogies can be an effective approach for teaching personal finance, the instructor’s guidance and expertise remain crucial. Teachers play a key role in providing context, facilitating discussions, and offering guidance to ensure students develop a comprehensive understanding of personal finance concepts and skills. I found this instructional topic very interesting and applicable for our project.

I found the reading on Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism learning concepts useful for teaching purposes and very applicable in my learning experiences. I had yet to learn how relevant and influential these teaching methods were in my education career. Being an Economics major with a history of loving math, as I read this chapter, I was relating many things to my math career and the methods used to help signify certain things into my memory. When I was reading each separate method I jotted down how it could pertain to the mathematical learning environment and how it has helped me curate my learning experience. The “Behaviorism” method makes me think about “drill and practice,” where math emphasizes repetition and practice, doing repetitive exercises. Alongside this, the is always a reward and incentive system, where teachers can provide stickers, certificates, and awards for achieving specific goals. Moving onto “Cognitivism,” math requires problem-solving strategies, focusing on the mental processes involved in learning. Thinking back, teachers have guided me toward developing problem-solving techniques and critical thinking skills by breaking down problems into manageable steps and applying appropriate mathematical strategies. Furthermore, there is an emphasis on creating a conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization. Teachers focus on building students’ conceptual understanding by using manipulatives, visual representations, and real-world applications to help students connect mathematical ideas to their own experiences to develop a deeper understanding. Lastly, I have even seen “Constructivism” in my math classes. I have seen inquiry-based learning, as constructivism promotes active learning and exploration. In math classes, teachers facilitate inquiry-based learning by presenting students with open-ended questions or problems requiring them to investigate, make connections, and construct their mathematical knowledge. It also requires collaborative learning, encouraging collaboration and social interaction between students. Math classes incorporate group work, peer tutoring, and projects, where students discuss mathematical concepts, share ideas and learn from each other’s perspectives. It’s interesting to think back about how I have been faced with these specific instructional techniques and can apply all of them to one subject. I would consider myself more of a “Cognitivism” teacher for my own instruction, mainly because I like to strip down an issue into chunks to solve problems. Most of my teaching experience is peer-based while studying or working on collaborative projects, so I constantly explain my reasoning, problem-solving, and information processing. For my future career, however, I would like to learn the instruction technique of “Constructivism” a lot further. I aspire to get into a higher management position, so emphasizing active learning, critical thinking, and collaboration is vitally important. In a management position, you are prone to encounter complex challenges and decision-making situations, where I will need to analyze problems, consider multiple perspectives and make informed decisions. I would need to continuously learn and adapt to industry trends and best practices, seeking relevant resources for self-directed learning. Alongside this, management requires collaboration and teamwork. Building strong collaborative relationships and fostering teamwork are crucial for effective leadership. Constructivist approaches like group discussions, cooperative projects, and team-based problem-solving can help me develop essential collaboration skills and create a positive and inclusive work environment. Overall embracing a growth mindset and promoting a culture of continuous learning is essential. By adopting constructivist principles, I can encourage my team members to embrace new challenges, learn from their experiences, and continuously improve their skills and performance. I thoroughly enjoyed learning and applying these concepts to my personal and soon-to-be professional life, and it’s remarkable to see how applicable they are.